The order effectively closes all nonessential businesses in the state through April 30th. The list of essential businesses which will remain open are:

HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH

LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

ENERGY

WATER AND WASTEWATER

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS

PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

OTHER COMMUNITY- OR GOVERNMENT-BASED OPERATIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

CRITICAL MANUFACTURING

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CHEMICAL

DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE

COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

RESIDENTIAL/SHELTER FACILITIES AND SERVICES

HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship also fall under the 'essential' umbrella.

Gov. Abbott's decision comes as Texas broke 3,000 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) this week. At the time of his order, he said around 43,000 Texans have been tested for the virus. The number of positive cases stood at 3,266, with 51 Texans dead.

Lubbock County has seen one death to date of the coronavirus, with 77 confirmed cases as of March 30th.

Gov. Abbott did not issue a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order for Texas.

"This is not a stay at home strategy," he said. "This is a standard that is based on essential services and essential activities."

The CDC recommends staying six feet apart from other people, practicing good hygiene via hand washing and hand sanitizer with at least a 60 percent alcohol factor, and not touching your face with your unwashed hands.